Combined timer and distributor



COMBINED TIMER AND DISTRIBUTOR Original Filed July 21- 1920 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 8 4 6 (w j 529 W 1; *3' 57 '44 I J1 INVENTOR 5 ATTORNEY H. R. PATTERSON ET AL COMBINED TIMER AND DISTRIBUTOR Feb. 26, 1929. 1,703,319

Original Filed Ju y 21- 1920 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 aew ammwmn INVENTORS TTORNEY [illustrated in the accompanying drawings Patented Feb.- 2 6,

UNI-TED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY R. PATTERSON, OF POUGHKEEFSIE, N'EW YORK, A N D F. GILCHBIST,

OF TOLEDO, OHIO, ASSIGNORS TO THE ELECTRIC AUTO-LITE OF TOLEDO,

I OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

comanmn 'rnnm Am) DISTRIBUTOR.

Original application fil'ed July 21, 1920, Serial No. 397,895. Divided and this application filed January 2, I 1924. Serial No. 683,866. 7

.pulses to the cylinders oft-he engine. An

object of our invention is to improve the construction and operation of such apparatus, to provide for the ready accessibility of the parts, for adjustment and cleaning and to simplify the structure in general;v whereby it is adapted for quantity production at a minimum cost.

' Further objects of this invention relate to economies'of manufacture and details of construction as will hereinafter appear from the detailed description to follow. We accomplish the objects of our invention in one instance by the devices and means described in.

the following specification, but it is evident that the same may be varied widely without departing from the scope of the invention as pointed out in the appended claims. A structure constituting one embodiment of our invention, which may be the preferred, is

forming a part hereof, in which:

Figure I is a top plan view of a device illustrating our invention.

Figure II isa cross sectional view of the same taken on the line IIII of Fig'. I. Figure III is a cross sectional view taken I on the line IHIII of FigLII.

Figure IV is a fragmentary elevation partly in section showing the spring hook for holding down the distributor cap,

Figure V is a fragmentary sectional view of'the frame'and carrier plate showing the spring holding them together.

Figure VI is a disassembled view of the rotatable parts as well as the interrupter mechanism. s I

Figs VII, VIII and K are respectively top plan views of the distributor member,

'the cam and the interrupter 'mechanism shown in Fig. VI.

Fig. X is a fragmentary view of the reverse side of the interrupter shown in Fig. IX.

Figs. XI and XII are, respectively, a top plan view and a side elevationof the frame or casing member and Fig. XIII is a side view of the interrupter lever. V

In the drawings, the same reference numerals refer to similar parts throughout the several views, and the sectional views are taken looking in the direction of the arrows at the ends of the section lines.

Referring to the drawings, we have shown a housing for the operative parts of our device, comprising a frame or casing member 5 upon which rests a distributor capvfi. The frame 5 comprises a central or hearing portion and an outer or casing portion, the former forming the bearing for the drive shaft 7 which portion is also adapted to be received in a suitable holder comprising a part of the engine or generator with which the device is used. The casing portion of the frame 5 has a flange 8 which forms a support for the distributor cap 6 and an oil hole 9 is provided in the bottom, communicating with the shaft. The flange 8 is cutaway at the points 10 and 11 for purposes to be described hereinafter. An opening 12 is also provided in the bottom of the casing, the purpose of which will also be described hereinafter. Two pairs of lugs depend from. the casing by means of which two hook springs 14 are pivotally mounted and these spring hooks engage at their upper ends in suitable notches 15 formed on opposite sides of the distributor cap 6. The 14 are-con structed to snap into the notches 15 and enable the cap to be readily applied to or removed from the frame. Web portions 16 between inside of the cap and co-operating with the distributor finger to described later. Electrical connections are made from the coil and the spark plugs to the terminals 17 and 17 by means of detachable connectors, one only of which is shown in Fig. II but as this forms [no part of the present invention further description'thereof will not be made. The central terminal 17 carries a spring pressed contact aforementioned which bears against the aforementioned distributor finger while the outer end of the finger passes close to but without actual contact with each of theterminals 17 A small opening 50 extends through the side wall of the cap near the top and a second opening is formed at the bottom of the cap by cutting away a portion of the edge as shown at 51 in Fig. V at a point opposite a notch 11. The carrier plate 18 having an integral arm 19 is journaled on the frame or casing member 5 concentric with the shaft 7 and is adapted to have a limited rotative movement relative to the said casing, the

extent of movement being limited by the width of the slot 10 through which the arm 19 extends. V

The carrier plate 18 is frictionally retained in position on the .frame by a pair of sprin clips 20 which can be readily applied to an removed fromthe frame or casing from the exterior thereof, the use of screws and nuts being thereby avoided. As will be seen from the drawing, one end of a clipengages the top face of the plate 18 while a hook at'the opposite end fits a suitable depression in the frame 5. The outer. end of the arm 19 is shown with an aperture for connecting an operating rod or member to shift the position of the plate 18 to advance or retard the spark. Pivotally mounted upon the carrier plate 18 by means of a post 21 is an interrupter lever 22 which is prferablyfornied of sheet metal and, as shown in Figs; VI, IX and XIII, is bent up in the general form of a trough having a back and two side portions substantially at right angles thereto. The fulcrum end of the lever is provided'witha bearing sleeve 23 which has flanges 24 securely engaging the two side ortions. The opposite endis reduced in t ickness and carries a contact point 25. Intermediate the ends of the lever are two pairs of integral ears 26 which are bent over to firmly engage and hold a camengaging block 27 which block is of a size tosnugly fit between the two sides and back'of the lever with an exposed portion to be engaged by the operating cam. The front or cam engaging face of this block 27 is a substantially-flat surface and is so dimensioned that as the cam I rotates the contact is always on that surface and the surface tangent to the cam surface.

This, together with the shape of the cam, in-

sures freedom fromvibration and'smoothness in running. By the construction described a lever of maximum strength with minimum weight of material is obtained adapting it for efficient highspeed operation. A return spring 30 has one end looped around the pivot sleeve 23 with its end formed into a book 31 to engage the back of the lever and having its opposite end formed into a loop or hook 32 passing around a headed post 33 carriedby tion at the lever end.

any desired adjusted position by tightening ment 35. This element comprises a post 36 carrying a screw 37 having a contact point to cooperatewith the contact point on the lever, the screw being heldin adjustment by means of av clamping screw 38 which serves to clamp twoportions of the post separated by a saw-cut 39. The contact carrying ele ment has a flat base portion which rests on and is secured to the carrier plate 18, being 85 separated therefrom by a plate of insulation 41. A circuit terminal 44 extends up through the opening 12 in the frame and through the plate 18, being insulated therefrom by'suitable Washers and sleeves and is electrically connected with the base. The opposite or 1 'contact end of the base portioh 40 is-secured to the carrier plate 18 in a manner to permit slight adjustment of the contact member 35 about the circuit terminal 44 as a center. This is accomplished by providing a somewhat elongated hole in the plate 18, shown in dotted lines in Fig. X, through which/hole extends a clamping screw 45 by means of which the contact carrying element 35 may be rigidly secured to the carrier plate with the v stationary, and movable contacts in proper alignment. The interrupter lever 22 with its attached contact 25 and the corresponding stationary contact screw 37 form with their supports what is commonly termed interrupter mechanism, the contacts 25 and 37 being termed the interrupter contacts. This expression distinguishes over the distributor mechanlsm 17 and 60, whereby the current is distributed to the various engine cylinder circuits.

The upper end of the drive shaft 7 is formed with an integral collar ada ted to take-up end thrust above which exten s a slightly re- ,duced portion 56 which, as shown more distinctly in Fig. VI, is slotted to forin four quadrants. The portion 56 has a tapered. opening terminating in a screw-threaded hole adapted to receive a screw 57 having a tapered shank to fit the tapered opening in the shaft. A cam 58 fits snugly'over the slotted portion 56 of the shaft and is held thereto in the screw 57 expanding the slotted end into a firm engagement with the cam as will be readily apparent. The screw'57 has a cylin-' drical or fillister head 59 which serves to suport and guide the distributor member 60.

his member is preferably constructed in the terior'space into two chambers and having two integral upstanding-lugs 61 on its upper face which serve to osition the metallic distributor'finger 62. hollow post 63 is shown imbedded in the distributor member and extending through the distributor finger 62 with the upper'end rolled over to form in effect a rivet to secure the distributor finger in position. The distributor element 60 is alsoprovided with a pin 65 which engages a suitable openingv65 in the top of the cam 58 to hold the distributor in position relative to the cam.

. By reason of the above described construccentrifugal fan, setting the air in the upper.

chamber in rapid rotation. A circulation is thereby induced, fresh air entering at the lower opening 51 and air laden ozone and nitrous acid being expelled through the opening 50. In this manner the interrupter mechanism is kept, substantiallyfree from the corrosive effects of gases produced at the spark p Inasmuch as the invention herein disclosed is susceptible of various other embodiments and as various changes inightbe made in the embodiment set forth, it isto be understood that allmatter described above or shown in the accompanying drawings is to be interpreted as illustrated only, and not in a limitmg sense.

Having thus described our invention, what we desire to secure 'byUnited States Letters Patent and claim is 1. In a combined timer and distributor; a shaft having a split end; a cam mounted on said end; means for expanding said split end to secure said cam in adjusted position, said means having an upwardly extending portion; and a distributor having an aperture to;

fit said portion, said aperture having a cross sectlon approximately uniform throughout its length and equal to that of the upwardly extending portion.

2. In a combined timer and distributor; a shaft having one end slit and having a tapered opening therein; a timer cammounted on said split end; a screw having a tapered portion intermediate its head and threaded portion in engagement with said tapered opening for expanding said split end into engagement with said cam; a distributor having an aperture to fit over the head of said screw; and a pin connecting said cam and said distributor, said distributor being removable from the screw .head independently oi -the screw., r

3. In a combined timer and distributor, the combination of a casing; a powershaft rotatably mountedin said casing ;.a cam mounted, on'said shaft within the casing; a screw.

. insertable within the jend of the shaft for holding said cam in fixed position, said screw proper operative block on said having a head projecting beyond the shaft end; and 'a disc shaped distributor element. removably mounted on the head of said screw whereby the casing interior is divided into two chambers. I

4. In a combinedtimer and distributor, the combination of a casing; a power shaft rotatably mounted in said casing; a cam mounted on said shaft within the casing; a screw insertable within the end of the shaft for holding said cam in fixedposition, said screw having a head projecting'beyond the shaft end; and a disc shaped distributorelement removably mounted on the head of said screw whereby the casing interior is divided into two chambers; and a pin connecting the cam and distributor whereby relative motion therebetween is prevented.

5; In a combined timer and distributor, the combination of a casing; a power shaft rotatably mounted in said casing; a cam mount ed on said shaft within the casing; a screw insertable within the end vof the shaft for holding said cam in fixed position, said screw having a cylindrical head projecting beyond the shaftend; and a disc shaped distributor element removably mounted on the head of said screw whereby the casing interior is divided into two chambers, the cylindrical screw head and'the corresponding cylindrical cavity in the distributor disc having approximately equivalent cross sectional area whereby the distributor'may be readily applied and removed.

6Q In a device of the class described, a housing; a timer and distributor mechanism In said housing; means including a discdike member havin two upwardly raised portions, a conduct-mg member fixed to said disclike member between said portions, said disclike member substantially separating said housing into two chamberscontaining re-v spectively said timer and distributor mechanism and ventilating openings for said chambers.

7. In a device of the class described, a housing; a carrier plate within the housing; a. pair of interrupter contacts including a movable contact and astationary contact; a supporting block insulated from said plate and carried thereby, said block including a base portion and a contractile bearing portion for adjustably securing said stationary contact in position; means for adjusting said block relative to said plate and a circuit terminal extending through an opening in said housing and plate and secured to said-supporting block adapted t i permit adjustment of said ate... m

8. Ina devicd of theclass described, :a housing; a carrier plate'within the housing; a pair of interrupter contacts including afmovable contact and a stationary contact; a. sup .porting block carried by said plate, said blocl; including a base portion and a. contractile bearing portion for adjustably securing which said block may be adjusted on said 25 said stationary contact in position; a circuit terminal extending through an opening in said housing and plate and secured to said supportingblock forming a pivot aboutwhich. said block may be adjusted on said plate, said plate having an elongated openin block through said elongated opening.

9; In a device of the class described, a housing; a carrierplate within the housing; a

pair of interrupter contacts including a m'ovable contact and a stationary contact; a sup? porting block insulated from said plate and carried thereby, said block including a base portion and an elongated contractable screw threaded bearing portion for adjustably sej block relative to said plateincluding a circuit terminal extending through an opening in said housing and plate and secured to said supporting block forming a pivot about 9 therein and an adj ustin means extendlng rom 581d plate.

.10. 'In a device of the class described a carrier plate adapted to carr a pair of interrupter contacts oneof which is pivotally mounted on said plate and the other of which is adjustably secured in fixed position relative thereto, said plate being provided with a pivot opening and an elongated opening; a

contact carrying block for said fixed contact having abase portion insulated from and extending over :Sald; openings in said plate; a circuit terminal insulated from said plate and extendin throu h"s'aid pivot opening and secured to said ase and a clamping screw eictendin' from said block through said elongate openingin said plate-to secure said block in various positions of adjustment on said plate.

' In testimony tures.

HARRYR. PATTERSON. o. F. GILGHRIST.

whereof, weafiix ou-r signa- 

